Passing scenario context between multiple step definition classes

So, I started developing a framework using Cucumber/TestNG/Java/selenium I have a Context class that saves the scenariocontext with the help of enums in the form of key value pair Referenced from here

My issue is that: For a particular scenario in a feature, Step definitions are defined in multiple classes:

Sample feature

Feature: A feature Scenario: Scenario Given Statement 1 Then Statement 2 

Class1

Class firstDef{ TestRunner test; public firstDef(TestRunner test){ this.test = test } Brain context = new Brain(); @Given("Statement1") void method1(){ } } 

Class 2

Class secondDef{ TestRunner test; public secondDef(TestRunner test){ this.test = test } Brain context = new Brain(); @Given("Statement2") void method1(){ } } 

TestRunner class

Class TestRunner{ //some code @Test public method1(){ //some code } } 

So,

The brain class object for every step-definition will be different, this doesn't help as I want the context to be same throughout the scenario

Even if I instantiate the Brain in Runner class, the instance will be new for every instance of the test class

To overcome this, one possible solution that I have thought of is Serialization and de-serialization

In the @BeforeClass method, I will have:

File f = new File(path); if(!f.exists()){ Brain context = new Brain(); FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream(name); ObjectOutputStream oos = new ObjectOutputStream(fos); oos.writeObject(context); } 

Then I can deserialize wherever I want the context and serialize again after making changes to same reference variable

Is the above method correct or is there a better way to overcome the same problem

1 Answer

Constructor injection with Cucumber PicoContainer works like a charm for the above problem

Just add the dependency:

<!-- --> <dependency> <groupId>info.cukes</groupId> <artifactId>cucumber-picocontainer</artifactId> <version>1.2.5</version> <scope>test</scope> </dependency> 

to your pom.xml(For Maven projects) and pass the HashMap class's reference variable through multiple step definition classes and it will remain the same over a scenario.

Please have a go through this article for detailed explaination